Tag: Christian Eckes

Christian Eckes wins Truck Series race at Martinsville, clinches Championship 4 spot

Christian Eckes wins the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville, clinching a Championship 4 spot. Check out the full results from Martinsville!

The NASCAR Truck Series arrived at Martinsville Speedway to finalize the Championship 4, and it produced more drama than imagined. Christian Eckes dominated the race, winning the first two stages; however, Taylor Gray made a late charge on 60-lap fresher tires. Gray passed Eckes, but he didn’t end up victorious in a must-win situation.

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] won the 2024 Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville, winning his fourth race of the season and clinching a spot in the Championship 4. Eckes used a bump-and-run on Gray to clinch a Championship 4 spot. Gray, who needed a victory to make the season finale, was not happy and confronted him after the event.

Gray has every right to be upset, and Eckes has every right to go for the victory. It’ll be interesting to see if Gray retalities in any way at Phoenix Raceway as Eckes battles Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, and Grant Enfinger for the 2024 Truck Series championship.

NASCAR results from Martinsville in November 2024:

  1. No. 19 Christian Eckes (P)
  2. No. 99 Ben Rhodes
  3. No. 77 Chase Purdy
  4. No. 17 Taylor Gray (P)
  5. No. 2 Nick Sanchez (P)
  6. No. 38 Layne Riggs
  7. No. 11 Corey Heim (P)
  8. No. 18 Tyler Ankrum (P)
  9. No. 9 Grant Enfinger (P)
  10. No. 52 Stewart Friesen
  11. No. 98 Ty Majeski (P)
  12. No. 7 Connor Zilisch
  13. No. 88 Matt Crafton
  14. No. 1 William Sawalich
  15. No. 25 Dawson Sutton
  16. No. 41 Bayley Currey
  17. No. 5 Dean Thompson
  18. No. 81 Corey Day
  19. No. 42 Matt Mills
  20. No. 13 Jake Garcia
  21. No. 56 Timmy Hill
  22. No. 76 Spencer Boyd
  23. No. 33 Lawless Alan
  24. No. 22 Clayton Green
  25. No. 90 Justin S Carroll
  26. No. 91 Jack Wood
  27. No. 44 Matthew Gould
  28. No. 66 Johnny Sauter
  29. No. 15 Tanner Gray
  30. No. 4 Brett Moffitt
  31. No. 71 Rajah Caruth (P)
  32. No. 43 Daniel Dye
  33. No. 45 Kaden Honeycutt
  34. No. 02 Dylan Lupton
  35. No. 16 Landen Lewis
  36. No. 6 Norm Benning

Eckes takes dramatic Truck win at Martinsville for chance at title

Christian Eckes wasn’t about to lose a race he had dominated, even if it meant using the front bumper on his No. 19 Chevrolet-twice. After a restart with five laps left in Friday night’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Eckes …

Christian Eckes wasn’t about to lose a race he had dominated, even if it meant using the front bumper on his No. 19 Chevrolet—twice.

After a restart with five laps left in Friday night’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway, Eckes first moved the Toyota of Taylor Gray and then the Ford of Ben Rhodes—both of which were rolling on 40-lap fresher tires—to win the race and earn a spot in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Championship 4 Race.

 

Six-time winner Corey Heim ran seventh and Ty Majeski came home 11th, as both earned berths in the Championship 4 on points, eliminating Gray, Nick Sanchez, Tyler Ankrum and Rajah Caruth in the final event of the Playoffs’ Round of 8.

Eckes, Heim, Majeski and Grant Enfinger will race for the title next Friday at Phoenix Raceway (8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

After the restart on lap 196 of 200, Gray used his better tires to squeeze past Eckes to the inside. Eckes regained the top spot by moving Gray up the track. A lap later, Rhodes passed Eckes, who completed the fourth lead change in the final five laps by shoving the No. 99 Ford on lap 198.

Free of his competitors, Eckes crossed the finish line two laps later, 1.191s ahead of Rhodes. Chase Purdy and Gray were third and fourth, followed by Sanchez.

“Like I told everybody, I wasn’t going to lose this race—this truck was too good,” Eckes said. “The No. 17 (Gray) was hard racing. I feel bad about the No. 99 (Rhodes). I just got way too loose entering the corner.

“(Hearing boos from the crowd). Everybody’s really happy with me—but I don’t really care. I’m proud of everybody for working hard, and we’re going to Phoenix.”

The victory was Eckes’ fourth of the season, his second at Martinsville and the ninth of his career, but it came with a price.

After climbing from his truck, Gray walked angrily toward Eckes and expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms. A victory would have landed Gray in the Championship 4 at the expense of Majeski, who instead claimed the last spot by 28 points over Gray.

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“I got sent to the fence when I raced him perfectly clean in [Turns] 1 and 2,” Gray said. “What goes around comes around. I have to race him next year all year long (when both move up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series).

“The No. 19 (Eckes) was the class of the field, right? But it’s not my fault we had better strategy than he did. We came out on tires; we drove through the field and we drove to him. I raced him clean, and he drove me in the fence. I guess the only thing I could have done is wreck him like he wrecked me.”

Eckes swept the first two stages, his series-best 10th and 11th of the season and led 187 of the 200 laps. He held a substantial lead before a six-car accident in Turn 2 on lap 190 caused the sixth and final caution and set up the frenetic finish.

For practical purposes, Gray, Sanchez, Ankrum and Caruth entered the race in must-win situations. Ankrum finished eighth, and Caruth came home 31st after losing 21 laps in the garage as his team repaired a brake issue on his No. 71 Chevrolet.

Despite finishing third in each of the first two stages, Sanchez was 39 points out of a Championship 4 position when the race ended.

RESULTS

Christian Eckes clinches 2024 NASCAR Truck Series regular season championship

Christian Eckes has clinched the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series regular season championship at Richmond Raceway.

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] entered the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season fresh off a victory at Phoenix Raceway and backed it up before the playoffs. On Saturday night, Eckes clinched the 2024 Truck Series regular-season championship at Richmond Raceway. The driver of the No. 19 truck entered the night with a 50-point cushion over Corey Heim.

Eckes will now go into the 2024 NASCAR playoffs with a healthy gap on the other competitors outside Heim. The McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver earned 38 playoff points throughout the regular season by winning eight stages, three races, and the regular season championship. Eckes only had one finish outside the top 10 spots the entire regular season.

Eckes now enters the Round of 10 with three races that fit his driving style. The Milwaukee Mile, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Kansas Speedway are tracks he has either won or had great success at in the past. Eckes’ quest for his first Truck Series championship will begin in two weeks, but for now, he will enjoy winning the regular season title.

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Christian Eckes rumored for move to NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025

Christian Eckes has been rumored for a move to the NASCAR Xfinity Series team in 2025. Which NASCAR team could sign Eckes?

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] has been one of the most dominant NASCAR Truck Series drivers of the 2024 season. Heading into the regular season finale at Richmond Raceway, Eckes sits 50 points above Corey Heim for the title. As of now, the driver of the No. 19 truck is projected for 37 playoff points in what could be his final full-time season in the Truck Series.

According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Eckes appears to have a NASCAR Xfinity Series ride in his future for next year. Eckes has also been linked to Front Row Motorsports and Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2025 season. If the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver doesn’t land one of those seats, Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series program would be ideal.

Eckes could replace Shane van Gibsergen in the No. 97 Xfinity car, which has three wins during the 2024 season. It would be an excellent move for whichever team lands Eckes, who has nothing left to prove in the Truck Series. Eckes is ready to make the jump to the Xfinity Series, and it will be very interesting to see which NASCAR team could snag his services.

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Kaulig Racing heavily linked to rising NASCAR star for 2025 season

Kaulig Racing has been heavily linked to a rising NASCAR star for 2025. Which NASCAR driver could join Kaulig Racing?

[autotag]Kaulig Racing[/autotag] is looking to find the speed it has lost over the last few seasons. Despite Shane van Gisbergen’s success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the organization has struggled with A.J. Allmendinger, Josh Williams, and the NASCAR Cup Series program. However, Kaulig Racing wants to change that narrative and could consider adding a rising NASCAR star.

According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Kaulig Racing and Christian Eckes have “flirted” with each other in the past, and it’s likely there will at least be some talks if he continues to run well. Eckes has run more than well, as he sits first in the point standings in the NASCAR Truck Series with three wins. The driver of the No. 19 truck also has 14 top-10 finishes in 15 races.

Eckes has dominated the Truck Series, with a series-high 698 laps led and a 6.2 average finishing position. The McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver has led at least one lap in every event. Kaulig Racing could put Eckes in an Xfinity or Cup Series car as he is ready for the jump. It would be an outstanding hire by Kaulig Racing, as Eckes has very high potential.

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Eckes trounces Truck field with flag-to-flag Nashville dominance

Christian Eckes absolutely dominated Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway, the 23-year old leading all 150 laps – the first time a driver has led every race lap in 12 years. Eckes, driver of …

Christian Eckes absolutely dominated Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway, the 23-year old leading all 150 laps – the first time a driver has led every race lap in 12 years.

Eckes, driver of the No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet raced forward from a third place starting position to take the lead from pole winner Stewart Friesen by Turn 2 of the opening lap at the 1.333-mile oval and essentially never looked back. He led by more than 3s in the closing laps and ultimately crossed the finish line 2.028s ahead of his teammate Daniel Dye – the runner-up showing a career best effort for the 20-year-old Floridian.

It is the third win of the season for Eckes and extends his championship lead to 40 points over TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim, who finished third after passing Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth on the final lap. McAnally-Hilgermann Racing’s Tyler Ankrum was fifth.

“Can’t say enough about these guys,’’ said Eckes, who has three wins on the season and now eight in his seven seasons in the series. It’s the second time this season (also at Martinsville, Va.) that he has swept both stage wins and claimed the winner’s trophy.

“We were really motivated to get this truck out there. Nice job for the day,’’ added Eckes who says he can’t ever remember leading every lap in any race he’s competed in.

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The win also earned Eckes a $50,000 bonus check for claiming the final leg of the series’ Triple Truck Challenge – Nick Sanchez and Heim are the other winners in the incentive program.

“I saw the No. 11 (Heim) has four of them [wins] so got a little upset walking in [to Nashville Superspeedway], so now another one to go catch another one,’’ Eckes said.

Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Matt Mills, Ty Majeski and Jake Garcia rounded out the top 10 in the finishing order. Rhodes’ rally was especially impressive considering how he started.

While Eckes spent the day up front – mastering every restart on an evening that saw seven caution flags for 42 laps – there was plenty of action behind him as the caution count would indicate.

On the other hand, Sanchez, who started his No. 2 Rev Racing Chevy from the rear of the 36-car field after hitting the wall in qualifying, rallied to finish 13th and sits third in the championship 89 points behind Eckes.

NASCAR Cup Series star and current FOX Sports NASCAR broadcaster Clint Bowyer finished 17th after his No. 7 Spire truck suffered damage when the field stacked up on the Stage 1 restart. In his typically colorful manner, Bowyer was frank about his night – the first NASCAR national series race he’s competed in since retiring from full-time competition in 2020.

 

“We fought loose-in the whole time from the word go, but I know from a lot of years of experience that’s hard to overcome,’’ said Bowyer, a 10-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and the 2012 championship runner-up.

“I don’t know what happened on the [Stage 1] restart, they all checked up in front of me and I crashed,’’ Bowyer said, adding, “I will be back. I promise you there’s no way I’m ending on that.”

Three races remain to set the 10-driver Playoff field. Currently Tanner Gray, who finished 14th Friday night, sits in the 10th place position, 14 points ahead of Dye.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to competition for the CRC Brakleen 175 at Pocono Raceway on July 12 (5:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Kyle Busch is the defending race winner.

RESULTS

Christian Eckes wins, leads every lap in Truck Series race at Nashville, full results

Christian Eckes wins, leads every lap in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. Check out the full results from Nashville!

It’s [autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag]’ world, and we’re just living in it. Eckes won the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on Friday night, earning his third win of the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series season. The driver of the No. 19 truck not only won the race, but he led every single lap at Nashville. Timothy Peters, at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2012, was the last Truck Series driver to accomplish this feat.

Eckes was simply dominant, as no other driver had an answer on Friday night. The McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver led 150 laps and earned seven playoff points. Corey Heim was the closest to passing Eckes on the long runs during the first two stages, but he didn’t have enough to pass the No. 19 truck, not even on pit road.

It was a historic night for Eckes, who accomplished something that hadn’t been accomplished in the Truck Series in 12 years. If this doesn’t make people look at Eckes for future opportunities, nothing will because it was a historic performance that no one will forget in the Music City.

Truck Series, Rackley Roofing 200 results:

  1. No. 19 Christian Eckes
  2. No. 43 Daniel Dye
  3. No. 11 Corey Heim
  4. No. 71 Rajah Caruth
  5. No. 18 Tyler Ankrum
  6. No. 9 Grant Enfinger
  7. No. 99 Ben Rhodes
  8. No. 42 Matt Mills
  9. No. 98 Ty Majeski
  10. No. 13 Jake Garcia
  11. No. 52 Stewart Friesen
  12. No. 66 Conner Jones
  13. No. 2 Nick Sanchez
  14. No. 15 Tanner Gray
  15. No. 25 Ty Dillon
  16. No. 51 Jack Wood
  17. No. 7 Clint Bowyer
  18. No. 26 Dawson Sutton
  19. No. 1 Brenden Queen
  20. No. 46 Dawson Cram
  21. No. 77 Chase Purdy
  22. No. 76 Spencer Boyd
  23. No. 88 Matt Crafton
  24. No. 33 Lawless Alan
  25. No. 38 Layne Riggs
  26. No. 75 Stefan Parsons
  27. No. 56 Timmy Hill
  28. No. 5 Dean Thompson
  29. No. 41 Bayley Currey
  30. No. 20 Akinori Ogata
  31. No. 22 Frankie Muniz
  32. No. 02 Mason Massey
  33. No. 45 Kaden Honeycutt
  34. No. 17 Taylor Gray
  35. No. 21 Mason Maggio
  36. No. 32 Bret Holmes

Christian Eckes linked to shocking team in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025

Christian Eckes has been linked to a shocking team in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025. Which team could Eckes unexpectedly join in 2025?

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] has developed into an elite driver in the NASCAR Truck Series. Eckes has six wins over the last 33 races and holds the lead in the point standings by 31 points over Corey Heim. Despite the success with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, the driver of the No. 19 truck hasn’t been discussed much in higher levels of NASCAR. Well, that has changed quickly.

According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Eckes is an expected candidate to fill one of the two openings at Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 Cup Series season. This is the first time Eckes has been publicly linked to a Cup Series team. Front Row Motorsports has two spots available after acquiring a charter, while Michael McDowell leaves for Spire Motorsports.

Noah Gragson is a favorite to land one of the two openings at Front Row Motorsports, but Eckes could secure the other seat in the right scenario. It would be a great career move for the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver, as Front Row Motorsports has a Tier 1 relationship with Ford. Eckes hasn’t gained much traction, but he is now putting his hat in the ring for good rides.

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Christian Eckes wins the Truck Series race at Martinsville, full results and race recap

Christian Eckes wins the NASCAR Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Check out the full results and race recap from Martinsville!

The NASCAR Truck Series arrived at Martinsville Speedway for its second short-track race of the 2024 season. Corey Heim recently won at Circuit of the Americas and figured to be one of the favorites to win at Martinsville. However, it was a McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver that stole the show on Friday night,

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] won the Truck Series race at Martinsville on Friday night. It was Eckes’ second win of the 2024 season, and he became the first driver with more than one victory. The driver of the No. 19 truck not only won the event, he swept it. Eckes won Stages 1 and 2 and drove through the field on fresher tires at night’s end.

No one was beating Eckes at Martinsville, as he firmly established himself as the best short track driver in the Truck Series. Now, Eckes will look to make it three wins as the Truck Series goes to Texas Motor Speedway next weekend.

Long John Silver’s 200 finishing order:

  1. No. 19 Christian Eckes
  2. No. 98 Ty Majeski
  3. No. 77 Chase Purdy
  4. No. 2 Nick Sanchez
  5. No. 18 Tyler Ankrum
  6. No. 17 Taylor Gray
  7. No. 71 Rajah Caruth
  8. No. 7 Sammy Smith
  9. No. 45 Kaden Honeycutt
  10. No. 11 Corey Heim
  11. No. 02 Mason Massey
  12. No. 88 Matt Crafton
  13. No. 43 Daniel Dye
  14. No. 99 Ben Rhodes
  15. No. 38 Layne Riggs
  16. No. 15 Tanner Gray
  17. No. 41 Bayley Currey
  18. No. 91 Jack Wood
  19. No. 52 Stewart Friesen
  20. No. 56 Timmy Hill
  21. No. 13 Jake Garcia
  22. No. 9 Grant Enfinger
  23. No. 25 Ty Dillon
  24. No. 32 Bret Holmes
  25. No. 76 Spencer Boyd
  26. No. 1 William Sawalich
  27. No. 46 Thad Moffitt
  28. No. 22 Stephen Mallozzi
  29. No. 42 Matt Mills
  30. No. 66 Cam Waters
  31. No. 33 Lawless Alan
  32. No. 90 Justin S Carroll
  33. No. 33 Dean Thompson
  34. No. 20 Blake Lothian

Christian Eckes wins the Truck Series race at Bristol, full results and race recap

Christian Eckes wins the NASCAR Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Check out the full results and race recap from Bristol!

The NASCAR Truck Series arrived at Bristol Motor Speedway for its first short track race of the 2024 season after Nick Sanchez, Kyle Busch, and Rajah Caruth started the new campaign with victories. It was a fun and exciting night at Bristol; however, the race was about redemption for one specific driver.

[autotag]Christian Eckes[/autotag] held off a hard-charging Busch in the final laps to secure the victory in the Truck Series race at Bristol. Eckes’ victory is redemption after he lost the race to Corey Heim in the closing laps at Bristol in 2023. The McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver’s loss meant he eventually missed the Championship 4. Busch won Stages 1 and 2 but didn’t have enough.

It is an accomplishment to beat Busch at Bristol, and Eckes needed it after a rough start to the 2024 season. The No. 19 team has shown speed, but unfortunate luck has plagued the organization. Now, Eckes can focus on winning races and earning playoff points until the playoffs.

Weather Guard Truck Race finishing order:

  1. No. 19 Christian Eckes
  2. No. 7 Kyle Busch
  3. No. 91 Zane Smith
  4. No. 88 Matt Crafton
  5. No. 18 Tyler Ankrum
  6. No. 11 Corey Heim
  7. No. 17 Taylor Gray
  8. No. 71 Rajah Caruth
  9. No. 9 Grant Enfinger
  10. No. 38 Layne Riggs
  11. No. 41 Bayley Currey
  12. No. 45 Kaden Honeycutt
  13. No. 43 Daniel Dye
  14. No. 13 Jake Garcia
  15. No. 15 Tanner Gray
  16. No. 99 Ben Rhodes
  17. No. 2 Nick Sanchez
  18. No. 75 Stefan Parsons
  19. No. 66 Conner Jones
  20. No. 25 Ty Dillon
  21. No. 1 William Sawalich
  22. No. 52 Stewart Friesen
  23. No. 5 Dean Thompson
  24. No. 56 Timmy Hill
  25. No. 42 Matt Mills
  26. No. 46 Thad Moffitt
  27. No. 33 Lawless Alan
  28. No. 02 Mason Massey
  29. No. 21 Mason Maggio
  30. No. 76 Spencer Boyd
  31. No. 32 Bret Holmes
  32. No. 22 Keith McGee
  33. No. 77 Chase Purdy
  34. No. 98 Ty Majeski
  35. No. 14 Trey Hutchens III
  36. No. 90 Justin S Carroll